Method and apparatus for tuning a communication device

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tuning system for a communication device having an antenna, where the tuning system includes at least one first tunable element connected with at least one radiating element of the antenna for tuning the antenna where the adjusting of the at least one first tunable element is based on at least one of a use case associated with the communication device and location information associated with the communication device, and a matching network having at least one second tunable element coupled at a feed point of the antenna, wherein the matching network receives control signals for adjusting the at least one second tunable element to tune the matching network. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No.13/108,589 filed May 16, 2011, and which is titled “Method and ApparatusFor Tuning A Communication Device”, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, andmore specifically to a method and apparatus for tuning a communicationdevice.

BACKGROUND

Existing multi-frequency wireless devices (e.g., radios) use an antennastructure that attempts to radiate at optimum efficiency over the entirefrequency range of operation, but can really only do so over a subset ofthe frequencies. Due to size constraints, and aesthetic design reasons,the antenna designer is forced to compromise the performance in some ofthe frequency bands. An example of such a wireless device could be amobile telephone that operates over a range of different frequencies,such as 800 MHz to 2200 MHz. The antenna will not radiate efficiently atall frequencies due to the nature of the design, and the power transferbetween the antenna, the power amplifier, and the receiver in the radiowill vary significantly.

Additionally, an antenna's performance is impacted by its operatingenvironment. For example, multiple use cases exist for radio handsets,which include such conditions as the placement of the handset's antennanext to a user's head, or in the user's pocket or the covering of anantenna with a hand, can significantly impair wireless deviceefficiency. Further, many existing radios use a simple circuit composedof fixed value components that are aimed at improving the power transferfrom power amplifier to antenna, or from the antenna to the receiver,but since the components used are fixed in value there is always acompromise when attempting to cover multiple frequency bands andmultiple use cases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portion of a transceiverof the communication device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-4 depict illustrative embodiments of a tunable matching networkof the transceiver of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5-6 depict illustrative embodiments of a tunable reactive elementof the tunable matching network;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portion of acommunication device;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portion of a multipleantenna communication device;

FIGS. 9-16 depict illustrative embodiments of portions of communicationdevices;

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of one or moreof the devices of FIGS. 1-16;

FIG. 18 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a look-up table utilizedby one or more of the devices of FIGS. 1-6 and the method of FIG. 17;and

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, whenexecuted, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more of the exemplary embodiments described herein can have anantenna with a tunable element attached to the radiating elements of theantenna. The tunable element can be of various types, such as a PassiveTunable Integrated Circuit (PTIC) having one or more electricallytunable capacitors.

In one embodiment, the antenna can be directly tuned over frequency,moving the resonant frequency of the radiating element. By doing so, themagnitude of the VSWR that the antenna presents to the transceiver, canbe adjusted, and can be kept within a range that is easier to match tothe transceiver.

In another embodiment, on-antenna tuning can be combined with a tunablematching network such as positioned at a feed point of the antenna toachieve greater gains in total antenna efficiency as compared withutilizing either of these tuning methods separately.

In one embodiment, the tunable element on the antenna can be tuned usingan open loop methodology, such as tuning it strictly as a function ofthe band/frequency that the transceiver is operating in. In anotherembodiment, other criteria can also be used in combination with, or inplace of, the band/frequency information, including mechanicalconfiguration (slide up/down) or other use cases, and other inputs, suchas proximity detector status and accelerometer position information. Theuse cases can vary and can include speaker phone operation, flip openand so forth.

In another embodiment, the tunable element on the antenna can be tunedto place the RF voltage present at a measuring component in proximity tothe antenna, such as a detector, within a preset range. The range can bedetermined based on knowledge of the power being transmitted by thehandset's transceiver, and can be used to establish the input impedanceof the antenna within a range of Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) thatwould allow a tunable matching network, such as coupled at a feed pointof the antenna, to improve the impedance match between the antenna andthe transceiver. This embodiment can incorporate two separate “loops” ofa closed loop algorithm, allowing the tunable element of the antenna tobe tuned in a closed loop algorithm utilizing feedback from a detector,and once that loop settled, then the tunable matching network can betuned using information from a directional coupler and the detector.

Another embodiment can utilize information from a detector and adirectional coupler in a combined closed loop algorithm. The algorithmcan simultaneously adjust the tunable element(s) on the antenna and thetunable matching network while also increasing the RF voltage detectedat the detector subject to the constraints on return loss and otherfigure of merit parameters determined by the directional coupler inputs.One or more of such algorithms are described in U.S. application Ser.No. 11/940,309 to Greene, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

Another embodiment can utilize information obtained from a detectorand/or a directional coupler using one or more of the methodologiesdescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/005,122 to Greene, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Themethodologies can include using the derivatives or slopes of the RFvoltages at the detectors responsive to changes in the control signalsto the tunable elements.

In yet another embodiment, detuning of a first antenna among a pluralityof antennas can be performed in order to reduce coupling of the firstantenna with one or more other antennas. The detuning of the firstantenna can improve the performance of the one or more other antennas.

One embodiment of the present disclosure entails a tuning system for acommunication device having an antenna, the tuning system includes atleast one first tunable element connected with at least one radiatingelement of the antenna for tuning the antenna where the adjusting of theat least one first tunable element is based on at least one of a usecase associated with the communication device and location informationassociated with the communication device, and a matching network havingat least one second tunable element coupled at a feed point of theantenna, wherein the matching network receives control signals foradjusting the at least one second tunable element to tune the matchingnetwork.

One embodiment of the present disclosure entails a method includingtuning an antenna of a communication device by adjusting at least onefirst tunable element of the communication device that is connected withat least one radiating element of the antenna where the adjusting of theat least one first tunable element is based on a use case associatedwith the communication device, and tuning a matching network of thecommunication device by adjusting at least one second tunable element ofthe matching network that is coupled between the antenna and atransceiver of the communication device, wherein the adjusting of thesecond tunable element is a closed loop process based on an operationalparameter of the communication device.

One embodiment of the present disclosure entails a tuning system thatincludes a memory and a controller. The controller is programmed toreceive antenna efficiency information associated with one or moreantennas of a group of antennas of a communication device, receiveantenna isolation information associated with one or more antennas ofthe group of antennas, and tune at least a portion of the group ofantennas based on the antenna efficiency information and the antennaisolation information.

The exemplary embodiments can employ open loop tuning processes, such asat the on-antenna tunable element and/or at the matching network. Theuse cases can include a number of different states associated with thecommunication device, such as flip-open, flip-closed, slider-in,slider-out (e.g., Qwerty or numeric Keypad), speaker-phone on,speaker-phone off, hands-free operation, antenna up, antenna down, othercommunication modes on or off (e.g., Bluetooth/WiFi/GPS), particularfrequency band, and/or transmit or receive mode. The use case can bebased on object or surface proximity detection (e.g., a user's hand or atable). Other environmental effects can be included in the open loopprocess, such as temperature, pressure, velocity and/or altitudeeffects. The open loop process can take into account other information,such as associated with a particular location (e.g., in a building or ina city surrounded by buildings), as well as an indication of being outof range.

The exemplary embodiments can utilize combinations of open loop andclosed loop processes, such as tuning a tunable element based on both ause case and a measured operating parameter (e.g., measured by adetector in proximity to the antenna and/or measured by a directionalcoupler between the matching network and the transceiver). In otherexamples, the tuning can utilize one process and then switch to anotherprocess, such as using closed loop tuning and then switching to openloop tuning based on particular factors associated with thecommunication device.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 100.The communication device 100 can comprise a wireless transceiver 102(herein having independent transmit and receive sections and having oneor more antennas 145 (two of which are shown in this example)), a userinterface (UI) 104, a power supply 114, and a controller 106 formanaging operations thereof. The wireless transceiver 102 can utilizeshort-range or long-range wireless access technologies such asBluetooth, WiFi, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellulartechnologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×, WCDMA, UMTS/HSDPA,GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, and next generation cellular wirelesscommunication technologies as they arise.

The UI 104 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 108 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device100. The keypad 108 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 100 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a flex cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 108 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 104 can further include adisplay 110 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 100. Inan embodiment where the display 110 is a touch-sensitive display, aportion or all of the keypad 108 can be presented by way of the display.

The power supply 114 can utilize common power management technologies(such as replaceable batteries, supply regulation technologies, andcharging system technologies) for supplying energy to the components ofthe communication device 100 to facilitate portable applications. Thecontroller 106 can utilize computing technologies such as amicroprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) with associatedstorage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other liketechnologies.

The communication device 100 can utilize an on-antenna tuning element150, which can be directly connected with the radiating element(s),including high band (HB) and low band (LB) radiating elements and/or aportion of the radiating elements. Tuning elements can be a number ofcomponents in a number of different configurations, including variablecapacitors such as electrically tunable capacitors, although othertunable elements are also contemplated by the present disclosureincluding a semiconductor varactor, a micro-electro-mechanical systems(MEMS) varactor, a MEMS switched reactive element, a piezoelectriccomponent or a semiconductor switched reactive element.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portion of the wirelesstransceiver 102 of the communication device 100 of FIG. 1. In GSMapplications, the transmit and receive portions of the transceiver 102can include common amplifiers 201, 203 coupled to a tunable matchingnetwork 202 and an impedance load 206 by way of a switch 204. The load206 in the present illustration can be an antenna as shown in FIG. 1(herein antenna 206). A transmit signal in the form of a radio frequency(RF) signal (TX) can be directed to the amplifier 201 which amplifiesthe signal and directs the amplified signal to the antenna 206 by way ofthe tunable matching network 202 when switch 204 is enabled for atransmission session. The receive portion of the transceiver 102 canutilize a pre-amplifier 203 which amplifies signals received from theantenna 206 by way of the tunable matching network 202 when switch 204is enabled for a receive session. Other configurations of FIG. 2 arepossible for other types of cellular access technologies such as CDMA.These undisclosed configurations are contemplated by the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 3-4 depict illustrative embodiments of the tunable matchingnetwork 202 of the transceiver 102 of FIG. 2. In one embodiment, thetunable matching network 202 can comprise a control circuit 302 and atunable reactive element 310. The control circuit 302 can comprise aDC-to-DC converter 304, one or more digital to analog converters (DACs)306 and one or more corresponding buffers 308 to amplify the voltagegenerated by each DAC. The amplified signal can be fed to one or moretunable reactive components 504, 506 and 508 such as shown in FIG. 5,which depicts a possible circuit configuration for the tunable reactiveelement 310. In this illustration, the tunable reactive element 310includes three tunable capacitors 504-508 and an inductor 502 with afixed inductance. Other circuit configurations are possible, and therebycontemplated by the present disclosure.

The tunable capacitors 504-508 can each utilize technology that enablestunability of the capacitance of said component. One embodiment of thetunable capacitors 504-508 can utilize voltage or current tunabledielectric materials such as a composition of barium strontium titanate(BST). An illustration of a BST composition is the Parascan® TunableCapacitor. In another embodiment, the tunable reactive element 310 canutilize semiconductor varactors. Other present or next generationmethods or material compositions that can support a means for a voltageor current tunable reactive element are contemplated by the presentdisclosure.

The DC-to-DC converter 304 can receive a power signal such as 3 Voltsfrom the power supply 114 of the communication device 100 in FIG. 1. TheDC-to-DC converter 304 can use common technology to amplify this powersignal to a higher range (e.g., 30 Volts) such as shown. The controller106 can supply digital signals to each of the DACs 306 by way of acontrol bus of “n” or more wires to individually control the capacitanceof tunable capacitors 504-508, thereby varying the collective reactanceof the tunable matching network 202. The control bus can be implementedwith a two-wire common serial communications technology such as a SerialPeripheral Interface (SPI) bus. With an SPI bus, the controller 106 cansubmit serialized digital signals to configure each DAC in FIG. 3 or theswitches of the tunable reactive element 404 of FIG. 4. The controlcircuit 302 of FIG. 3 can utilize common digital logic to implement theSPI bus and to direct digital signals supplied by the controller 106 tothe DACs.

In another embodiment, the tunable matching network 202 can comprise acontrol circuit 402 in the form of a decoder and a tunable reactiveelement 404 comprising switchable reactive elements such as shown inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, the controller 106 can supply the controlcircuit 402 signals via the SPI bus which can be decoded with commonBoolean or state machine logic to individually enable or disable theswitching elements 602. The switching elements 602 can be implementedwith semiconductor switches or micro-machined switches, such as utilizedin micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). By independently enabling anddisabling the reactive elements (capacitor or inductor) of FIG. 6 withthe switching elements 602, the collective reactance of the tunablereactive element 404 can be varied.

The tunability of the tunable matching networks 202, 204 provides thecontroller 106 a means to optimize performance parameters of thetransceiver 102 such as, for example, but not limited to, transmitterpower, transmitter efficiency, receiver sensitivity, power consumptionof the communication device, a specific absorption rate (SAR) of energyby a human body, frequency band performance parameters, and so on.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a communicationdevice 700 (such as device 100 in FIG. 1) having a tunable matchingnetwork which can include, or otherwise be coupled with, a number ofcomponents such as a directional coupler, RF detectors, controlcircuitry and/or a tuner. The tunable matching network can includevarious other components in addition to, or in place of, the componentsshown, including components described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6.In addition to the detector 701 coupled to the directional coupler 725,there is shown a detector 702 coupled to the RF line feeding the antenna750. A tunable matching network 775 can be coupled to the antenna 750and a transceiver 780 (or transmitter and/or receiver) for facilitatingcommunication of signals between the communication device 700 andanother device or system. In this exemplary embodiment, the tunablematch can be adjusted using all or a portion of the detectors forfeedback to the tuning algorithm.

Various algorithms can be utilized for adjusting the matching network750, some of which are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2009/0121963 filed on Nov. 14, 2007 by Greene, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The Greene applicationdescribes several methods utilizing Figures of Merit, which in thisexemplary embodiment can be determined in whole or in part frommeasurements of the forward and reverse signals present at detector 701.This exemplary embodiment can also utilize detector 702 to furtherimprove the ability of the tuning system to enable improved performanceof the communication device. One embodiment of the algorithm can utilizethe inputs from detector 701 to establish a maximum return loss or VSWRfor the matching network. This method can establish a range ofimpedances around the targeted impedance. This range of impedances mayestablish an acceptable level of performance. Input from detector 702can then be utilized to allow the algorithm to find an improved or bestimpedance within that acceptable range. For instance, the algorithmcould continue to modify the matching network 775 in order to increasethe RF voltage detected at the antenna feed, while constraining thereturn loss (measured by detector 701) to stay within the target returnloss. In this embodiment, communication device 700 can allow tuning forsource impedances that are not 50 ohms. Additionally detector 702 allowsthe algorithm to minimize the insertion loss of the tunable match 775.

In another embodiment, the tuning algorithm can maintain the return losswhile minimizing the current drain to determine desired tuning values.The tuning algorithm can utilize various parameters for tuning thedevice, including output power of the transmitter, return loss, receivedpower, current drain and/or transmitter linearity.

Communication device 700 can include one or more radiating elements 755of the antenna 750. One or more tunable elements 780 can be connecteddirectly with one or more of the radiating elements 755 to allow fortuning of the antenna 750 in conjunction with tuning of the matchingnetwork 775. The tunable elements 780 can be of various types asdescribed herein, including electrically tunable capacitors. The numberand configuration of the tunable elements 780 can be varied based on anumber of factors, including whether the tuning is an open loop or aclosed loop process. In one embodiment, all of the radiating elements755 have at least one tunable element 780 connected thereto to allow fortuning of the radiating element. In another embodiment, only a portionof the radiating elements 755 have a tunable element 780 connectedthereto.

In another exemplary embodiment, FIG. 8 depicts a portion of acommunication device 800 (such as device 100 in FIG. 1) having tunablematching networks for use with a multiple antenna system. In thisexemplary embodiment, there are two antennas, which are atransmit/receive antenna 805 and a diversity reception antenna 820.However, it should be understood that other numbers, types and/orconfigurations of antennas can be utilized with device 800. Forinstance, the antennas can be spatially diverse, pattern diverse,polarization diverse and/or adaptive array antennas. Tunable elements880 can be connected with radiating elements or a portion thereof of theantenna 805. In another embodiment, tunable elements 880 can beconnected with multiple antennas (not shown). Tunable elements 880 allowfor tuning and/or detuning of one or more of the antennas, including incombination with the tuning of the matching networks 810 and/or 825.

In one embodiment, the antennas of communication device 800 can be partof a MIMO (multiple-input and multiple output) system. The multipleantennas can be utilized for improving communications, such as throughswitching or selecting techniques, including analyzing noise in themultiple signals and selecting the most appropriate signal. The multipleantennas can also be used with combining techniques where the signalscan be added together, such as equal gain combining or maximal-ratiocombining. Other techniques for utilizing multiple signals from multipleantennas are also contemplated by the exemplary embodiments, includingdynamic systems that can adjust the particular techniques beingutilized, such as selectively applying a switching technique and acombination technique. The particular position(s) of the antenna(s) canvary and can be selected based on a number of factors, including beingin close enough proximity to couple RF energy with each other.

Communication device 800 can include a number of other components suchas tunable matching networks which can include or otherwise be coupledwith a number of components such as directional couplers, sensor ICs,bias control and other control ICs and tunable matching networks. Thetunable matching networks can include various other components inaddition to, or in place of the components shown, including componentsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1-7. This example also includes atransceiver 850 of the communication device 800 that includes multiplereceivers and/or transmitters for the multiple antennas 805 and 820 toserve the purpose of diversity reception.

In one embodiment, a first tunable matching network 810 can be coupledat the input to the transmit/receive antenna 805 and a second tunablematching network 825 can be coupled to the input to the diversityreception antenna 820. Both of these matching networks 810 and 825 canbe adjusted (e.g., tuned) to improve performance of the communicationdevice 800 in response to changes in bands, frequencies of operation,physical use cases and/or proximity of the antennas 805 and 820 to theuser or other objects which can affect the impedances presented by theantennas to the Front End Module (FEM) 860 and transceiver 850. In oneembodiment, the feedback line could be removed, such as by using the FEMto route these signals appropriately to perform these measurements(e.g., avoiding filtering out the signals).

Tunable matching network 810 can be adjusted using different methodsand/or components, some of which were disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2009/0121963. In one embodiment, a detector830 can be coupled to the device 800 so as to detect RF voltage presentat the connection to the diversity reception antenna 820. Received powerlevels at this point may be below −50 dBm. Some detectors, such as adiode detector or a logarithmic amplifier, may not typically be adequateto detect such levels. However, since in this exemplary embodiment, thetwo antennas 805 and 820 are in the same device 800 and in proximity toeach other, they can inherently couple RF energy from one antenna to theother. While the communication device 800 does not require thiscoupling, its presence can be utilized by the exemplary embodiments forthe purposes of tuning the antenna matching networks. In one example,after establishing the tuning state for the diversity match at thetransmit frequency, a predetermined relationship or offset can beapplied to the matching network 825 in order to adjust the match to thereceiver operating frequency.

In one embodiment, the tunable match on the transmit/receive antenna 805can be tuned similar to the technique described above with respect toFIG. 7 but instead of using detector 815, detector 830 can be used tomeasure increases in transmitted RF power coupled to the diversityreception antenna 820. As such, detector 815 (shown in broken lines inFIG. 8) can be removed from the device 800, thereby reducing the costand complexity. Thus, this example would tune both antennas utilizingonly one detector (e.g., detector 830) coupled with one of the antennas(e.g., the diversity reception antenna 820) and without another detectorcoupled to the other antenna. This example relies upon a fairly constantcoupling coefficient between the two antennas at any particular band,frequency and use case, and for any operation of the algorithm these mayall be considered constant.

In another embodiment, after tunable matching network 810 is adjusted bythe algorithm, tunable matching network 825 can also be adjusted. Bymeasuring the coupled transmitted power present at detector 830, thetunable matching network 825 can be adjusted to increase coupledtransmitter power seen at detector 830. In one example, afterestablishing the tuning state for the diversity match at the transmitfrequency, a predetermined relationship or offset can be applied to thematching network 825 in order to adjust the match to the receiveroperating frequency. For instance, the tuning circuits can be adjustedinitially based on transmitter oriented metrics and then a predeterminedrelationship or offset can be applied to attain a desired tuning statefor both transmitter and receiver operation. In another embodiment, theoperational metric can be one or more of transmitter reflection loss,output power of the transmitter, current drain and/or transmitterlinearity.

For example, in a time division multiplexed (TDM) system in which thetransmitter and the receiver operate at different frequencies but onlyoperate in their respective time slots (i.e., transmit time slot andreceive time slot), this can be accomplished by identifying an optimaltuning for the transmitter and then adding an empirically derivedadjustment to the tuning circuits in receive mode. As another example,in a frequency division multiplexed (FDM) system in which thetransmitter and receiver operate simultaneously and at differentfrequencies, this can be accomplished by identifying a target operationfor the transmitter, and then adjusting the tuning circuits first to thetarget value for the transmitter and then adjusting the values toapproach a compromised value proximate to an equal or desired targetvalue for the receiver. In one embodiment, a predetermined relationship,(e.g., an offset, scaling factor, translation or other change ormodification) can be applied to the adjustments of the variablecomponents when switching from the transmit mode to the receive mode.This translation can be a function of the values obtained whileadjusting during the transmit time slot. The translation can then beremoved upon return to the transmitter mode and the adjustment processis resumed. In one embodiment, because any frequency offset between thetransmit signal and the receive signal is known, an adjustment ormodification of the setting of the matching network in the form of atranslation or some other function can be applied to the matchingnetwork during the receive time slot. In another embodiment, theadjustment can be performed in multiple steps if the transmission andreception frequencies are far apart.

In another embodiment, a Figure of Merit can be utilized that not onlyincorporates the transmit metrics, but also incorporates an element toattain a compromise between optimal transmitter and optimal receiveroperation. This can be accomplished by identifying a target operationgoal, such as a desired transmitter and receiver reflection loss andthen identifying an operational setting that is a close compromisebetween the two. This embodiment thus can incorporate not onlytransmitter metrics but also tuning circuit settings or preferences intothe algorithm. The tuning preferences can be empirically identified toensure the desired operation.

In one embodiment where the communication device 800 employs antennadiversity for receive operation but does not employ antenna diversityfor transmit operation, antenna 820 would be receive only. Thetransceiver can transmit on antenna 805 and can receive on both antennas805 and 820. For adaptive closed loop tuning of the tunable matchingnetwork 825 on the diversity antenna, the communication device 800 canobtain a metric indicating the performance of the tunable matchingcircuit at the receive frequency. The metric can be used to tune thematch to adjust the performance at the receive frequency. This can bedone by measuring the level of the received signal using the receiver inthe transceiver IC. This measurement is known as RSSI, received signalstrength indicator. An RSSI measurement can be very noisy and unstabledue to highly variable impairments in the propagation channel, such asfading. These variations can be filtered using averaging. However, theamount of averaging necessary could make such a measurementprohibitively slow and not suitable as feedback for closed loop antennatuning.

In this embodiment, the transmit signal is moderately coupled to thetunable match in the diversity path because the main antenna and thediversity antenna are located on the same communications device. Themain antenna and the diversity antenna may only have 20 dB isolation inmany cases. The transmit signal present at tunable match 825 may be amuch stronger and more stable signal than the receive signal present attunable matching network 825. The transmit signal can be used to makereliable measurements that can be used for closed loop tuning.

The transmit signal can be measured using detector 830. The detector canbe placed between the tunable match and the transceiver. This iseffectively the output of the tunable match. A directional coupler isnot necessary for this measurement in this embodiment, and capacitive orresistive coupling may be used, as long as the detector has sufficientdynamic range. Other components and configurations of the components canalso be utilized for the parameter detection, such as shown in U.S.Patent Publication No. 20090039976 by McKinzie, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

In this embodiment, maximizing the output voltage of a tunable match canbe the equivalent to minimizing insertion loss, and for a losslessnetwork it can be equivalent to minimizing mismatch loss. An alternativeto using detector 830 is to use the receiver itself (tuned to thetransmit frequency) to measure the transmit signal. These are a fewviable methods for measuring the transmit signal through the diversitytunable match. Other forms of signal detection are contemplated by thepresent disclosure.

A complication with using the transmit signal for tuning can be that itis at a different frequency than the receive signal and the objective ofthe tunable match in the diversity path is to adjust performance at thereceive frequency. In one exemplary method, the tunable matching circuitis adjusted for reception performance based on transmissionmeasurements. In this exemplary method, a tunable match can be optimizedat the transmit frequency using measurements on the transmit signal andthen the matching circuit can be adjusted using a predeterminedrelationship between the transmit settings and the receive settings toprovide the desired performance at the receive frequency.

In one embodiment that utilizes a tunable matching network whichcontains two tunable capacitors, one set of tuning values, designated(C1TX, C2TX), can be applied only during the measurement of the transmitsignal. The other set of tuning values, designated (C1RX, C2RX), can beapplied in between the transmit slots, or just during the receive timeslots allowing for alternate tuning during a slot which may be used tomonitor other base stations or other networks. This embodiment describestwo tunable capacitors, but this exemplary embodiment can apply tovarious numbers and types of tunable elements. In this embodiment, theRx tuning values are a function of the Tx tuning values. As the Txvalues adaptively change throughout the iterative algorithm, the Rxvalues will also change, tracking the Tx values with a predeterminedrelationship. If the figure of merit is set to maximize Vout, the Txsolution can converge at (C1TXopt, C2TXopt), and can be appropriatelyadjusted using the predetermined relationship to (C1RXopt, C2RXopt) toachieve the desired RX performance.

Each time the tunable match is set to (C1TX, C2TX) in order to perform aTx measurement, the performance at the Rx frequency may be degradedduring the time that (C1TX, C2TX) is applied. It is desirable in thisembodiment to perform the measurement as quickly as possible to minimizethe Rx degradation caused by Tx tuning during the measurement. In oneembodiment, the Tx values can be applied for less than one percent ofthe time while still achieving adequate convergence time.

In one embodiment, the relationship between the TX and RX tuningsolutions can be dependent upon the bands of operation, and in the casewhere the receiver is tuned to monitor signals in an alternate band,then an alternate tuning solution (C1RX2, C2RX2) can be applied duringthat measurement.

Another exemplary method for controlling the tuning can be employed,which does not require setting the tunable capacitors to valuesoptimized for transmission while performing the Tx measurement. Theobjective is to operate the tuning matching network at settings thatoptimize Rx performance. These settings are at capacitance values thatare a specific amount away from the Tx optimum in a specific direction.An algorithm can be utilized that will find this location in thecapacitance plane without first needing to find the Tx optimum. The Txlevel can change based on a number of circumstances, such as from powercontrol commands in the transceiver or from variations in supplyvoltage, temperature, component tolerances, and so forth. In thisembodiment, since only measurement of the output RF voltage of the tuneris being performed, a determination may not be made as to whether thealgorithm is at the Tx optimum or a specific amount away from the Txoptimum because the Tx level is changing. This may prevent the use of analgorithm that simply targets a specific Tx signal level.

A metric that can be useful in determining where the tuning matchingnetwork is operating relative to the Tx optimum is to utilize the slope,or derivative of the Tx level with respect to the value or setting ofthe tunable capacitors (or other types of tunable elements). If the RFvoltage (Vout) present at the output of the tunable match at the TXfrequency is determined, such as through use of a log detector, then thefirst derivatives are dVout/dC1 and dVout/dC2. These derivatives can becalculated using the finite difference of two sequential measurements.These slopes will be a function of the tunable capacitors. These slopeswill not be a function of the absolute power level of the Tx signalsince a log detector is being utilized. If a log detector or itsequivalent is not utilized, the logarithm of the Tx voltage can becalculated prior to calculating the slope. By defining a Figure of Meritthat includes dVout/dC1 and dVout/dC2, the algorithm can converge to asolution that is a specific amount away from the Tx optimum in aspecific direction, in this case near the Rx optimum. In thisembodiment, a log detector is a device having a logarithmic response.

In some cases, specifying the slopes alone will not result in a uniquesolution (i.e., there may be multiple solutions). The algorithm canresolve this situation by adding a PTC preference to the Figure ofMerit. A tunable match may have many solutions that meet a Tx RL goaland a PTC preference can be included in the Figure of Merit to identifya solution that not only meets the Tx RL goal but also meets an Rxperformance goal. Similarly, a tunable match may have many solutionsthat meet a slope criteria and a PTC preference can be included in theFigure of Merit to identify a solution that not only meets the slopecriteria but also meets an Rx performance goal.

In cases where using dVout alone results in multiple solutions, it isalso possible to use the second derivative to resolve these cases. Forexample, second derivatives (d²Vout/dC2dC1) can be utilized, which isdVout/dC2 differentiated with respect to C1. Specifying dVout/dC2 andd²Vout/dC2dC1 can identify the correct or desired Rx solution from themultiple solutions. This exemplary method can include determiningderivative information (e.g., one or more of a first derivative, and/ora second derivative, and/or etc.) associated with the RF voltage basedon derivatives of the RF voltage and the variable capacitance values,and tuning the tunable matching network using the derivativeinformation.

Another exemplary embodiment can use detector 830 of the communicationdevice 800 in the diversity path as feedback to adjust tunable matchingnetwork 810 on the main antenna 805. The tunable matching network 810coupled with the main antenna has both transmit and receive signals, andcan be optimized for Tx performance, Rx performance, and Duplexperformance. For the Tx solution, Vout can be maximized For the Rxsolution and the Duplex solution, dVout can be included in the Figure ofMerit. A PTC preference may be required to identify the optimal Rxsolution but is not required to identify the optimal duplex solution,return loss, received power, current drain or transmitter linearity

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the Figure of Merit may beconstructed such that when it equals a certain value, or is minimized ormaximized, the desired tuner settings are achieved. The Figure of Meritmay be used with a number of different optimization algorithms. Forexample, a more exhaustive approach may be used that evaluates theFigure of Merit at every combination of capacitor values. Other suitablealgorithms can also be utilized, including a simplex algorithm, a binarysearch algorithm, and/or a gradient algorithm.

In another embodiment, communication device 800 can tune antennas 805and 820 without using detectors 815 and 830. The tunable matchingnetwork 810 can be adjusted using several different methods, some ofwhich were disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication US2009/0121963. After the tunable matching network 810 is adjusted, thetunable matching network 825 can be adjusted. By monitoring the detector801 coupled to the directional coupler 875, the diversity match tuningstate can be determined which adjusts the tunable matching network 825to the transmit frequency. If significant coupling between the twoantennas 805 and 820 is assumed, and by monitoring the return loss ofthe transmit/receive match while adjusting the diversity receptionantenna 820 match during transmitting, the diversity match tuning statecan be determined which tunes the diversity reception antenna 820 to thetransmit frequency. This tuning state can minimize the return loss atthe transmit frequency as measured at the directional coupler 875. Afterfinding this tuning state the tunable matching network 825 can then beadjusted (e.g., offset) appropriately for the receive frequency.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, communication device 900includes tunable element 902 for tuning antenna 901. The tuning can bein an open-loop manner, such as based on frequency and/or use case.Tunable element 902 can be adjusted such that the antenna VSWR is in arange that can be reasonably matched by tunable matching network 908.

Tunable element 902 can be adjusted in an open-loop manner to maximizerejection or attenuation at an unwanted frequency while maintaining theVSWR at the fundamental frequency in the range that can be reasonablymatched by the tunable matching network 908. The unwanted frequency maybe a harmonic or an interferer. Matching network 908 can be tuned in aclosed-loop manner, such as based on operational parameter(s) collectedfrom detector 903 and/or directional coupler 905 having forward andreverse detectors 906, 907 positioned between the matching network 908and the transceiver 909.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, communication device 1000includes tunable element 1002 for tuning antenna 1001 in an open-loopmanner based on frequency and/or use case. Tunable element 1002 can betuned such that the antenna VSWR is in the range that can be reasonablymatched by tunable matching network 1008, and the on-antenna tuning canmaximize rejection or attenuation at an unwanted frequency whilemaintaining a VSWR at the fundamental frequency in the range that can bereasonably matched by tunable matching network 1008. The tunablematching network can be tuned based on metrics gathered from detector1003 without utilizing measurements from any measuring device in betweenthe matching network and the transceiver 1009.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, communication device 1100includes tunable element 1102 for tuning antenna 1101 in a closed loopmanner while also tuning the matching network 1108 in a closed-loopmanner. A directional coupler 1105 having forward and reverse detectors1106, 1107 can be connected between the matching network 1108 and atransceiver 1109 for obtaining operational parameter(s) for performingthe closed loop tuning of element(s) 1102 and matching network 1108.Tuning can be performed in this embodiment without obtainingmeasurements from a measuring component in proximity to the antenna.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, communication device 1200includes tunable element 1202 for tuning antenna 1201 in a closed loopmanner based on maintaining the RF voltage present at detector 1203 in apreset range relative to the transmit power. This can establish anantenna impedance that is in the range that can be reasonably matched bytunable matching network 1208. Matching network 1208 can be tuned in aclosed loop manner based on operational parameter(s) obtained usingdirectional coupler 1205 having forward and reverse detectors 1206, 1207coupled with the device 1200 between the matching network and thetransceiver 1209.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 13, communication device 1300includes tunable element 1302 for tuning antenna 1301 in a closed loopmanner based on the RF voltage obtained at detector 1303, such asmaintaining the RF voltage in a preset range relative to the transmitpower. Matching network 1308 can be tuned in a closed loop manner basedon operational parameter(s) obtained using detector 1303 withoutobtaining measurements from any measuring components coupled between thematching network 1308 and the transceiver 1309.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, communication device 1400includes tunable element 1402 for tuning antenna 1401 in a closed loopmanner by placing the antenna VSWR detected using directional coupler1410 with forward and reverse detectors 1411, 1412 in a preset range.This will establish an antenna VSWR that is in the range which can thenbe reasonably matched by tunable matching network 1408. Within theacceptable range of the antenna VSWR, the solution can be biased using atuning preference for on-antenna element 1402 to achieve a secondcriteria. Matching for the element 1402 can be performed at the Rxfrequency and/or based on achieving linearity. The matching network 1408can be tuned in a closed loop manner based on operational parameter(s)obtained from the directional coupler 1405 having forward and reversedetectors 1406, 1407 positioned between the matching network and thetransceiver 1409.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 15, communication device 1500includes tunable element 1502 for tuning antenna 1501 in a closed loopmanner by placing the antenna VSWR detected using directional coupler1510 with forward and reverse detectors 1511, 1512 in a preset range.This will establish an antenna VSWR that is in the range which can thenbe reasonably matched by tunable matching network 1508. Within theacceptable range of the antenna VSWR, the solution can be biased using atuning preference for on-antenna tunable element 1502 to achieve asecond criteria. Matching for the element 1502 can be performed at theRx frequency and/or based on achieving linearity. The matching network1508 can be tuned in a closed loop manner based on operationalparameter(s) obtained from the detector 1503 coupled in proximity to theantenna 1501 without obtaining measurements from any measuring componentpositioned between the matching network and the transceiver 1509.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 16, communication device 1600includes an antenna 1601 that includes two radiating elements whichcover different frequency ranges, tunable element 1602 and tunableelement 1610 for tuning antenna 1601. Tunable element 1602 can primarilyaffect a first frequency range or band and tunable element 1610 canprimarily affect the second frequency range or band of the antenna 1601.Tunable element 1602 can be adjusted in an open-loop manner based onfrequency and/or use case. Tunable element 1602 can be adjusted suchthat the antenna VSWR as determined or otherwise estimated from metricsof the detector 1603 and with knowledge of the transmitter output poweris in a range that can be reasonably matched by tunable matching network1608. Tunable element 1610 can be adjusted in an open-loop manner tomaximize rejection or attenuation at an unwanted frequency whilemaintaining a VSWR at the fundamental frequency in the range that can bereasonably matched by tunable matching network 1608. The unwantedfrequency may be a harmonic, such as in the High Band, while thefundamental (TX & RX) frequencies can be in the Low Band. Matchingnetwork 1608 can be tuned in a closed loop manner utilizing operationalparameter(s) obtained from the directional coupler 1605 having forwardand reverse detectors 1606, 1607 coupled between the matching networkand the transceiver 1609.

Another embodiment provides for tuning one or more of the antennas of acommunication device. In a multiple antenna system, simply maximizingthe over the air efficiency of all the antennas may not accomplish thebest overall performance of the communication system. The isolation orde-correlation between antennas in a small handset can also be a keyparameter in defining the overall performance in certain instances. Acontrol method that considers the efficiency of both antennas and theisolation between them can be advantageous. For example, in an antennadiversity system, the antennas can be tuned so as to reduce couplingbetween the antennas without degrading the efficiency of either antenna,or to degrade efficiency minimally such that overall system performanceis enhanced. Thus, even for closely spaced antennas in a handheld mobileapplication, the coupling may be reduced or otherwise kept to a minimumin spite of antenna proximity. Other parameters other than antennacross-coupling may also be optimized to improve overall performance ofthe system, such as in a MIMO system where there can be simultaneouslymultiple output antennas and multiple input antennas.

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary method 1700 operating in portions of one ormore of the devices of FIGS. 1-16. Method 1700 can be utilized withcommunication devices of various configurations, including multipleantenna devices. Method 1700 can begin with step 1702 by detecting oneor more parameters of the communication device, such as parametersassociated with transmitting that are obtained through use of measuringcomponents including a detector and/or a directional coupler. The numberand positioning of the measuring components can vary and can be inproximity to the antenna and/or between a matching network and atransceiver.

In step 1704, it can be determined whether there are multiple on-antennatuning elements. If there are more than one such tuning elements then instep 1706 tuning elements associated with a radiating element(s) can betuned based on a desired VSWR at a frequency of operation. In step 1708,tuning elements associated with another radiating element(s) can betuned based on a different factor, such as a rejection or attenuation ofan unwanted frequency. If on the other hand, there is only oneon-antenna tuning element and/or the tuning elements are only connectedwith one of the radiating elements of the antenna then method 1700 canproceed to step 1710 where the on-antenna tuning element(s) is tunedusing an open loop and/or closed loop process. The open loop process canutilize various factors to determine tuning, including use case,operating frequency, proximity information accelerometer/positioninformation, and so forth. The closed loop process can utilize variousfactors to determine tuning, including RF voltage, return loss, receivedpower, current drain and/or transmitter linearity

In step 1712, tuning can be performed utilizing the matching network.The tuning of the matching network can be an open loop and/or closedloop process, including using one or more of the factors described abovewith respect to the open and closed loop processes that can tune theon-antenna tuning elements. The timing of the tuning utilizing thematching network can vary, including being performed simultaneously withtuning of the on-antenna tuning elements, after tuning of the on-antennatuning elements and/or before tuning of the on-antenna tuning elements.Method 1700 can be an iterative process that tunes the on-antenna tuningelements and/or the matching network.

In one embodiment, the tuning of the matching network(s) can beperformed in combination with look-up tables such as shown in FIG. 18.For instance, one or more desirable performance characteristics of acommunication device 100 can be defined in the form of Figures of Merits(FOMs), the communication device can be adapted to find a range oftuning states that achieve the desired FOMs by sweeping a mathematicalmodel in fine increments to find global optimal performance with respectto the desired FOMs. In one embodiment, look-up table 1800 can beindexed (e.g., by the controller 106 of the communication device 100 ofFIG. 1) during operation according to band and/or use case.

From the foregoing descriptions, it would be evident to an artisan withordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, detector 830 mayinclude a directional coupler for the diversity antenna to compensatefor out-of-band impedance of the Rx filter that may create a very highstanding wave on the feed line and put voltage nulls at unpredictableplaces on the line (including at the base of the antenna).

In another embodiment, combinations of open and closed loop processescan be utilized for tuning of one or more of the tunable elements of theantenna and/or the matching network. For instance, a tunable element ofthe antenna can be tuned in part with a closed loop process based on anoperational parameter of the communication system and in part with anopen loop process based on a use case and/or location information of thecommunication device. In another embodiment, the use of closed loop andopen loop processes can be alternated or otherwise arranged in beingapplied to a particular tunable element, such as initially applying anopen loop process but then later applying a closed loop process,including switching from an open loop to a closed loop process based onoperational parameters of the communication device. In anotherembodiment, the matching network can be tuned in whole or in part usingan open loop process, such as based on a use case provided in a look-uptable and/or based on location information associated with thecommunication device.

The exemplary embodiments can employ open loop tuning processes, such asat the on-antenna tunable element and/or at the matching network. Theuse cases can include a number of different states or status associatedwith the communication device, such as flip-open, flip-closed,slider-in, slider-out (e.g., Qwerty or numeric Keypad), speaker-phoneon, speaker-phone off, hands-free operation, antenna up, antenna down,other communication modes on or off (e.g., Bluetooth/WiFi/GPS),particular frequency band, and/or transmit or receive mode. The use casecan be based on object or surface proximity detection (e.g., a user'shand or a table). Other environmental effects can be included in theopen loop process, such as temperature, pressure, velocity and/oraltitude effects. The open loop process can take into account otherinformation, such as associated with a particular location (e.g., in abuilding or in a city surrounded by buildings), as well as an indicationof being out of range. The exemplary embodiments can utilizecombinations of open loop and closed loop processes, such as tuning atunable element based on both a use case and a measured operatingparameter (e.g., measured by a detector in proximity to the antennaand/or measured by a directional coupler between the matching networkand the transceiver). In other examples, the tuning can utilize oneprocess and then switch to another process, such as using closed looptuning and then switching to open loop tuning based on particularfactors associated with the communication device. The use case can bebased on the knowledge of transmitter power level setting and receiverreceived signal strength, current drain, accelerometerdirection/orientation, and any other information that is availablewithin the device (e.g., a handset, tablet, or other wirelesscommunication device) indicative of operating modes or use case.

In one embodiment, Low Band (LB) radiating element(s) and High Band (HB)radiating element(s) can be utilized with the antenna, where at leastone tunable element is associated with the LB radiating element is tunedbased on a desired Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) associated withthe antenna, and wherein at least another tunable elements that isassociated with the HB radiating element is tuned based on a differentperformance metric. The different performance metric can be based onattenuation of an undesired frequency. As an example, the undesiredfrequency can be a harmonic frequency or can be associated with aninterferer.

Methodologies and/or components that are described herein with respectto tuning of one tunable element can also be utilized with respect totuning of other tunable elements. For example, derivative informationutilized for tuning the matching network can be used for tuning ofon-antenna tunable elements.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosure.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 1900 may include a processor 1902 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 1904 and a static memory 1906, which communicate with each othervia a bus 1908. The computer system 1900 may further include a videodisplay unit 1910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system1900 may include an input device 1912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursorcontrol device 1914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1916, a signalgeneration device 1918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a networkinterface device 1920.

The disk drive unit 1916 may include a machine-readable medium 1922 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 1924)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 1924may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 1904, the static memory 1906, and/or within the processor 1902during execution thereof by the computer system 1900. The main memory1904 and the processor 1902 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 1924, or that which receives and executes instructions 1924from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 1926 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 1926 using the instructions 1924. Theinstructions 1924 may further be transmitted or received over a network1926 via the network interface device 1920.

While the machine-readable medium 1922 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tuning system for a communication device havingan antenna, the tuning system comprising: at least one first tunableelement connected with at least one radiating element of the antenna fortuning the antenna, wherein adjusting of the at least one first tunableelement is based on a use case associated with the communication device;and a matching network having at least one second tunable elementcoupled to a feed point of the antenna, wherein the matching networkreceives control signals for adjusting the at least one second tunableelement to tune the matching network, wherein the adjusting of the atleast one second tunable element of the matching network comprises aclosed loop process, wherein the at least one first tunable element is aplurality of first tunable elements, wherein the at least one radiatingelement comprises a first radiating element associated with a firstfrequency range and a second radiating element associated with a secondfrequency range, wherein at least one of the plurality of first tunableelements that is associated with the first radiating element is tunedbased on a desired Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) associated withthe antenna, and wherein at least another of the plurality of firsttunable elements that is associated with the second radiating element istuned based on a different performance metric.
 2. The tuning system ofclaim 1, wherein tuning parameters for the use case associated with thecommunication device are stored in a look-up table of the communicationdevice.
 3. The tuning system of claim 1, wherein the use case comprisesat least one of an earpiece speaker status, a speakerphone status, aheadset status, and a slider status.
 4. The tuning system of claim 1,wherein the use case comprises position information obtained from atleast one of an accelerometer and a proximity detector of thecommunication device.
 5. The tuning system of claim 1, wherein theclosed loop process includes obtaining an operational parameter using adirectional coupler connected between the antenna and a transceiver ofthe communication device.
 6. The tuning system of claim 5, wherein theoperational parameter is obtained during transmission by the transceiverof the communication device.
 7. The tuning system of claim 1, whereinthe closed loop process includes obtaining an operational parameterusing a detector coupled between the antenna and the matching networkwithout using a measuring component coupled between the matching networkand a transceiver of the communication device.
 8. The tuning system ofclaim 1, wherein the closed loop process includes obtaining anoperational parameter using a directional coupler coupled between thematching network and a transceiver of the communication device.
 9. Thetuning system of claim 1, wherein the different performance metric isbased on attenuation of an undesired frequency.
 10. The tuning system ofclaim 9, wherein the undesired frequency is a harmonic frequency. 11.The tuning system of claim 9, wherein the undesired frequency isassociated with an interferer.
 12. The tuning system of claim 11,wherein at least a portion of the plurality of first tunable elementsare adjusted based on first metrics obtained from a detector coupled inproximity to the antenna, and wherein the adjusting of the at least onesecond tunable element is based on second metrics obtained from adirectional coupler.
 13. The tuning system of claim 1, wherein at leasta portion of the at least one first tunable element and the at least onesecond tunable element is electrically tunable capacitors.
 14. Thetuning system of claim 13, wherein Low Band (LB) radiating elements ofthe antenna are tuned using a different process than is utilized intuning High Band (HB) radiating elements of the antenna.
 15. A tuningsystem for a communication device having an antenna, the tuning systemcomprising: at least one first tunable element connected with at leastone radiating element of the antenna for tuning the antenna, whereinadjusting of the at least one first tunable element is based on a usecase associated with the communication device; and a matching networkhaving at least one second tunable element coupled to a feed point ofthe antenna, wherein the matching network receives control signals foradjusting the at least one second tunable element to tune the matchingnetwork, wherein the adjusting of the at least one second tunableelement of the matching network comprises a closed loop process, whereinthe at least one first tunable element is a plurality of first tunableelements, wherein the at least one radiating element comprises a LowBand (LB) radiating element and a High Band (HB) radiating element,wherein at least one of the plurality of first tunable elements that isassociated with the LB radiating element is tuned based on a desiredVoltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) associated with the antenna, andwherein at least another of the plurality of first tunable elements thatis associated with the HB radiating element is tuned based on adifferent performance metric.
 16. The tuning system of claim 15, whereinthe different performance metric is based on attenuation of an undesiredfrequency, and wherein the undesired frequency is associated with one ofa harmonic frequency and an interferer.
 17. A method comprising: tuning,by a controller, an antenna of a communication device by adjusting atleast one first tunable element of the communication device that isconnected with at least one radiating element of the antenna, whereinthe adjusting of the at least one first tunable element is based on ause case associated with the communication device, wherein the at leastone first tunable element is a plurality of first tunable elements,wherein the at least one radiating element comprises a first radiatingelement associated with a first frequency range and a second radiatingelement associated with a second frequency range; tuning, by thecontroller, a matching network of the communication device by adjustingat least one second tunable element of the matching network that iscoupled between the antenna and a transceiver of the communicationdevice, wherein the adjusting of the second tunable element comprises aclosed loop process based on an operational parameter of thecommunication device; tuning, by the controller, at least one of theplurality of first tunable elements that is associated with the firstradiating element based on a first performance metric; and tuning, bythe controller, at least another of the plurality of first tunableelements that is associated with the second radiating element based on asecond performance metric that is different from the first performancemetric.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein tuning parameters for theuse case associated with the communication device is stored in a look-uptable of the communication device, and wherein the use case comprises atleast one of an earpiece speaker status, a speakerphone status, aheadset status, and a slider status.
 19. The method of claim 17,comprising obtaining the operational parameter of the communicationdevice using a detector coupled between the antenna and the matchingnetwork without using a measuring component coupled between the matchingnetwork and the transceiver.
 20. The method of claim 17, comprisingobtaining the operational parameter of the communication device using adirectional coupler coupled between the matching network and thetransceiver without using a measuring component between the antenna andthe matching network.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the firstperformance metric is based on a desired Voltage Standing Wave Ratio(VSWR) associated with the antenna.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe first radiating element is a low band radiating element, and whereinthe second radiating element is a high band radiating element.